Scottish Place-names

This book, the result of twenty years’ meticulous research, remains the only comprehensive and systematic study of Scottish place-names. From names which date from the dawn of time – such as the river names Tay and Avon – to more modern place-names, such as Fort William and Helensburgh, W.F.H. Nicolaisen brings to life the rich tapestry of history which has shaped Scotland over thousands of years.

When first published in 1976, Scottish Place-names was welcomed by reviewers for its innovative thinking and for setting new standards in place-name studies in Scotland. Three further printings within a few years responded to an obvious demand for the kind of overview and methodological guide it provided. The revised edition, first published in 2001, responded to the huge surge of interest in, and study of, Scottish place-names and included an updated preface and additional bibliography.